Holly Ann Burt.
WHEN YOU ask Holly Ann Burt about her job at UIC, she says it’s “a bit complicated.”
SHE BEGAN working at UIC in 2005 as Program Coordinator; however, Burt actually works for the National Library of Medicine (NLM), which has a contract with the UIC Library of Health Sciences. Her title is Outreach and Exhibits Coordinator for the National Network of Libraries of Medicine Greater Midwest Region. In addition to exhibiting in the ten states of her region, her job includes teaching others about the NLM databases and creating resources for librarians to share with those who use these databases. Many would agree that at a university like UIC, knowledge of research tools and databases are of extreme importance.
BURT BECAME involved with APAC in her fi rst year of service at UIC because she was new to the University. Having come from a non-profi t organization, she wanted to learn more about what it meant to be an Academic Professional (AP). She also felt that UIC AP librarians should “have a voice on the committee and input into processes that aff ect the library community,” Burt said.
SHE REFLECTED on her work with APAC, stating she is very pleased with the way APAC is “reaching out and connecting with the academic professional community.” She added that the dedicated membership are doing things like updating the website, publishing APAC News, and off ering regular brown bags and open houses. A highlight this year was holding the fi rst online elections, she said.
BURT THINKS it is important to mention that in addition to APAC, APs are represented by UPPAC, the University Professional Personnel Advisory Committee (www.uppac. uillinois.edu). UPPAC meets regularly to address the needs of APs on each of the three University of Illinois campuses. The responsibility to serve as chair rotates from campus to campus, and this past year it fell to the UIC APAC. “We decided to split the tasks so that while Rob Moranetz chaired APAC, my primary responsibility was to chair UPPAC where I had served as alternate for the past two years.”
THIS IMPORTANT committee lifts the issues from each of the campus APACs to share with the University President and with each other. She added, “It has been a privilege to chair UPPAC this past year and meet with our colleagues across the state. I look forward continuing to serve on both APAC and UPPAC and as your representative in the coming years.”
WHEN ASKED what she would like to see APAC achieve in the upcoming year, she said, “I echo the words of my co-chair for the past year, Rob Moranetz, in expecting to continue to off er high quality programs and events to help UIC Academic Professionals be informed, connect, network, and feel a sense of ownership in this excellent institution.”
DURING HER spare time, Burt enjoys time with her two cats, Lluinja (short for Little Lady Ninja - which this calico certainly is) and Tralina (the softest furred black and white critter you’ll ever meet). While they love reading together, they do prefer sitting on her keyboard (instead of lap) while she does genealogy research or watches online television episodes she missed.
TO CONTACT Burt, e-mail haburt@ uic.edu or call (312) 996-8480.
